Letter to the Editor

I rarely do this, but I couldn't hold back.

Maybe it's because we're during the time of sefirah, when so many died because they didn't conduct themselves with enough respect and honor...

To the Editor: 

I was dismayed to read Avrohom Birnbaum's polemical attack against Rabbis Gil Student and Harry Maryles in an April 17 editorial. 

First of all, Rabbi (?) Birnbaum's description of the Hirhurim blog is a gross mischaracterization of the objective and goals of the site; not only is it a forum for respectful discourse on all matters pertaining to Judaism, it also serves as an aggregate site for Jewish news around the world. 

In addition, the attempt to bait Rabbi Student into making a comment concerning the mistake of a friend and colleague is quite underhanded; this to me seems like a concession of whatever "moral high ground" the Yated thought it had.  

Regarding Rabbi Maryles' blog: while the content of his blog sometimes leaves me with not a small amount of discomfort, especially after reading comments (which he tries to moderate) on certain posts - in this case, he is beyond reproach. In an April 15 column, Rabbi Maryles not only acknowledges what happened, but levels his own criticism at Rabbi Broyde - a difficult task, given his admiration and respect for Rabbi Broyde. 

A final point regarding Rabbi Maryles: as a student who received ordination from Rav Aharon Soloveitchik ztl, Rabbi Maryles should be treated with "at least" a modicum of respect by addressing him by his deserved honorific. 

I failed to see the point that this column was trying to make, except to gleefully point out a scandal happening elsewhere. The author mentions schadenfreude in connection with the "MO" bloggers' responses to Hareidi scandal; this is the pot calling the kettle black. 

Respectfully,
Shmuel